Three charged with attempting to steal motorcycle from Ocean Beach Park

Published July 07. 2014 7:55AM | Updated July 07. 2014 7:59AM

New London — Three people were arrested Sunday for their alleged role in attempting to steal a motorcycle from the parking lot at Ocean Beach Park.

Police said at about 4:14 p.m. a park employee notified an on-duty officer assigned to the park that someone was trying to steal a motorcycle.

As the officer approached the area, where the employee said the incident was happening, a man, later identified as Arnaldo Vega, was observed backing the motorcycle from its parking space.

Police said the motorcycle was in operation when Vega saw the officer, pulled the bike back into its parking space and dropped it, where it struck a parked car.

Vega fled on foot towards the front gate and engaged the officer in a foot pursuit. Three other officers assigned to the park also began to chase Vega through Stuart Avenue, Park Street and the Highland Avenue neighborhood.

According to a witness, Vega hid in a backyard until he was picked up on Highland Avenue in a black BMW.

An officer in the Uniformed Patrol Division saw a 2011 BMW traveling northbound on Ocean Avenue and stopped the car in the area of 813 Ocean Ave. Police said Vega was passenger in the car along with two other men. Burglary tools were also found inside the car.